Cornus florida--Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida--Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwood grows 15 to 30 feet tall and spreads 20 to 25 feet. The tree can be grown in sun or shade but shaded trees will be less dense, grow more quickly and have poor fall color. Flowering dogwood prefers a rich, well drained soil and has a moderately long life. The flowers consist of 4 bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts may be be pink or red but the normal color is white. The fall color depends on site and seed source but on most sun grown plants will be red to maroon. The red fruits are often eaten by birds.